Craftsman 917377520 Owner’s Manual

Owner's Manual

5.0 HORSEPOWER 22" REAR DISCHARGE

POWER PROPELLED

ROTARY LAWN MOWER

Model No.

917.377520

o Safety o Assembly

Operation Maintenance

, Espafioi

o Repair Parts

CAUTION:

Read and follow all Safety Rules and Instructions

before operating this equipment

Sears, Roebuck and Co., Hoffman Estates, IL 60t79

Warranty 2 Product Specifications 11 Safety Rules 2 Sewice and Adjustments 14

Assembly 4 Storage 15

Operation 6 Troubleshooting 16 Maintenance Schedule 10 Repair Parts 35

Maintenance 10 Parts Ordering Back Cover

LIMITED TWO YEAR WARRANTY ON CRAFTSMAN POWER MOWER

For two years from date of purchase, when this Craftsman Lawn Mower is maintained, lubricated, and tuned up according to the operating and maintenance instructions in the owner's manual, Sears will repair free of charge any defect in material or workmanship. If this Craftsman Lawn Mower is used for commercial or rental purposes, this warranty

applies for only 90 days from the date of purchase. This Warranty does not cover:

o Expendable items which become worn during normal use, such as rotary mower

blades, blade adapters, belts, air cleaners and spark plug.

o Repairs necessary because of operator abuse or negligence, including bent crank-

shafts and the failure to maintain the equipment according to the instructions con- tained in the owner's manual°

Warranty service is available by returning the Craftsman power mower to the nearest

Sears Service Center/Department in the United States. This warranty applies only while this product is in use in the United States.

This Warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other rights which vary from state to state.

SEARS, ROEBUCK AND CO., D/817 WA, HOFFMAN, ESTATES, ILLINOIS 60179

TRAINING:

o Read this operator's manual carefully_

Become familiai" with the controls and know how to operate your mower

properly. Learn how to quickly stop mower.

o Do not allow children to use your mower.

Never allow adults to use mower without proper instructions.

• Keep the area of operation clear of all persons, especially small children and

pets_

• Use mower only as the manufacturer intended and as described in this manual.

• Do not operate mower if it has been dropped or damaged in any manner_

Always have damage repaired before using your mower.

° Do not use accessory attachments that

are not recommended by the manufac-

turer. Use of such attachments may be

hazardous.

The blade turns when the engine is

running.

PREPARATION:

o Always thoroughly check the area to be

mowed and clear it of all stones, sticks, wires, bones, and other foreign objects.

These objects will be thrown by the blade and can cause severe injury.

° Alway s wear safety glasses or eye

shields when starting and while using your mower.

,, Dress properly. Do not operate mower

when barefoot or wearing open sandals. Wear only solid shoes with good traction

when mowing.

o Check fuel tank before starting engine.

Do not fill gas tank indoors, when the engine is running or when the engine is

hot. Allow the engine to cool for several minutes before filling the gas tank. Clean

off any spilled gasoline before starting the engine.

Always make wheel height adjustments before starting your mower. Never

attempt to do this while the engine is

running. Mow only in daylight or good artificial

light.

OPERATION" ° Keep your eyes and mind on your mower

and the area being cut. Do not let other interests distract you.

° Do not mow wet or slippery grass. Never

run while operating your mower. Always be sure of your footing -- keep a firm

hold on the handles and walk.

, Do not put hands or feet near or under

rotating parts. Keep clear of the discharge

opening at all times.

° Always stop the engine whenever you

leave or are not using your mower, or before crossing driveways, walks, roads, and any gravel---covered areas.

o Never direct discharge of material toward

bystanders nor allow anyone near the mower while you are operating it.

° Before cleaning, inspecting, or repairing

your mower, stop the engine and make absolutely sure the blade and all moving

parts have stopped. Then disconnect the spark plug wire and keep it away fi'0m the

spark plug to prevent accidental starting°

o Do not continue to run your mower if you

hit a foreign object. Follow the procedure outlined above, then repair any damage

before restarting and operating you mower.

• Do not change the governor settings or overspeed the engine. Engine damage or personal injury may result.

• Do not operate your mower if it vibrates

abnormally. Excessive vibration is an indication of damage; stop the engine,

safely check for the cause of vibration and repair as required.

o Do not run the engine indoors. Exhaust

fumes are dangerous°

o Never cut grass by pulling the mower

towards you. Mow across the face of slopes, never up and down or you might

lose your footing. Do not mow exces- sively steep slopes. Use caution when operating the mower on uneven terrain

or when changing directions -- maintain good footing.

° Never operate your mower without

proper guards, plates, grass catcher or

other safety devices in place. MAINTENANCE AND STORAGE; ° Check the blade and the engine mount-

ing bolts often to be sure they are

tightened properly. ° Check all bolts, nuts and screws at

frequent intervals for proper tightness to

be sure mower is in safe working condition.

- Keep all safety devices in place and

working.

o To reduce fire hazard, keep the engine

free of grass, leaves or excessive grease and oilo

° Check grass catcher often for deteriora-

tion and wear and replace worn bags.

Use only replacement bags that are recommended by and comply with

specifications of the manufacturer of your

mower.

, Always keep a sharp blade on your

mower.

° Allow engine to cool before storing in any

enclosure.

° Never store mower with fuel in the tank

inside a building where fumes may reach an open flame or an ignition source such

as a hot water heater, space heater, clothes dryer, etc.

CAUTION: Always disconnect spark plug wire and place wire where it cannot

contact spark plug in order to prevent accidental starting when setting up,

transporting, adjusting or making repairs.

WARNING

The engine exhaust from this product contains chemicals known to the State of

California to cause cancer, birth defects,

or other reproductive harm.

Theseaccessorieswereavailablewhenthislawnmower was produced. They are also

available at most Sears retail outlets andservice centers. Most Sears stores can also order

repair parts for you, when you provide the model number ofyour lawn mower. Some of these

accessories may not apply to your lawn mower.

LAWN MOWER PERFORMANCE

CLIPPING DEFLECTOR

FOR REAR DISCHARGELAWNMOWERS

MULCHER KITS

STABILIZER

J,,,

GRASSCATCHERS

FOR

REAR DISCHARGE

LAWNMOWERS

LAWN MOWER MAINTENANCE

MUFFLERS

BELTS

BLADES

BLADE ADAPTERS ,:, WHEELS

Read these instructionsand this manual inits entirety before you attempt to assemble or

operate your new lawn mower. "four new lawn mower has been assembled at the factory with

the exception of those parts left unassembled for shipping purposes. All parts such as nuts,

washers, bolts, etc. necessary to complete the assembly have been placed in the parts bag.

To ensure safe and proper operation of your

lawn mower, all parts and hardware you assemble must be tightened securely, Usethe

correct tools as necessary to ensure proper tightness.

TO REMOVE LAWN MOWER FROM CARTON

Remove looseparts includedwith mower.

Cut down two end comers of carton and lay end panel down flaL

Remove all packing materials except padding between upper and lower handle

and padding holding operator presence control bar to upper handle.

, 4

GRASS CATCHERS

FOR

SIDE DISCHARGE

LAWNMOWERS

GAS CANS

AIR FILTERS

. _ _, ,,,,

SPARK PLUGS

ENGINE OIL

° Roll lawn mower out of carton and check

carton thoroughly foradditional loose parts.

HOW TO SET UP YOUR LAWN

MOWER

TO UNFOLD HANDLE IMPORTANT: Unfoldhandlescarefully so as

notto pinchordamage controlcables.

o Raise handlesuntillower handle section

locks intoplacein mowing position.

• Remove protectivepadding, raiseupper handle section intoplaceon lower handle

andtightenboth handle knobs.

o Remo,,iehandle paddingholding operator

presence control bar to upper handle.

o Your lawn mower handle can be adjusted

for your mowing comfort. Refer to "Adjust

Handle" in the Service and Adjustment section of this manual.

NOTE: Forshippingpurposes,therear wheelson yourlawnmowerarenot

adjustedto thesamepositionasthe front wheels. Beforeoperatingmoweradjust allwheelstothesamecuttingheight position.

Operator presence control bar

Uppper handle_./,_ /_,,_

Lift

"J'S"Liftup// /.,_

/Y M°wing

/ position

frame until both ends of frame are exposed

out ofthe front opening.

o Assemble lower frame to tubular frame as

shown. Be sure handle is outside of bag and frames are fully seated as shown in

inset_

° Slipvinyl bindings overframe.

NOTE: Ifvinyl bindings are too stiff, hold

them in warm water for a few minutes° If

bag gets wet, let it dry before using.

Sewn hem

Tubular frame

Lower handle

TO INSTALL ATTACHMENTS

Yourlawn mower was shipped ready to be used as a mulcher. Toconvert to bagging or

discharging: o Open rear door and remove mulcher plug.

Store mulcher plug in a safe place.

o You can now install catcher or optional

clipping deflector.

, To return to mulching operation, install

mulcher pluginto discharge opening of mower. Be sure all tabs are seated

properly.

Mulcher plug _

CAUTION: Do not run your lawn mower without mulcher plug in place or approved

clipping deflector or grass catcher in

place. Never attempt to operate the lawn mower with the rear door removed or

propped open.

Sewn hem

Tubular frame

Lower frame handle

Flip lid

LowerTrame

(Frames must be

fully seated)

Vinyl bindings

TOASSEMBLE GRASS CATCHER o Insert leg of tubularframe through front

opening of grass catcher and thread frame into sewn hem of bag.

NOTE: Keep bag hem gathered on the

straight leg of the tubular frame. ° When frame comes outthe other end of

sewn hem, immediately work the end of frame down inside the bag as shown in

inset°

= Slide sewn hem evenlyaround the tubular

KNOW YOUR LAWN MOWER

READ THIS OWNER'S MANUALAND SAFETY RULES BEFORE OPERATING YOUR

LAVMNMOWER. Compare the illustrations with your lawn mower to familiarize yourself with the location of various controls and adjustments, Save this manual for future

ref..erence_............................................................................................................................................................................................

These symbols may appear on your lawn mower or in literature supplied with the product,

Learn and understand their meaning.

& 4 o.e

CAUTION ENGINE ENGINE FAST

OR WARNIN&__ .ON .......... OFF

Engine zone control cable

Srarter handle

Grass catcher

SLOW CHOKE FUEL OIL DANGER, KEEP HANDS

AND FEET AWAY

-Operator presence control bar

Drive control lever

Handle knob

Mulcher plug

Gasoline cap

Engine oil cap w/dipstick

Housing

Drive cover

Wheel adjuster

(on each wheel)

Sears rotary walk-behind power lawn mowers conform to the safety standards of the American National Standards Instituteand the U,S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, The blade

tums when the engine is nmning.

Operator pm,senee control bar - must be

helddown to the handle to start the engine. Release to stop the engine.

Primer- pumps additional fuelfrom the carburetor to the cylinder for usewhen starting

.......... : ==..: ..................

Starterhandie-usedfor startingthe engine. "

Drive control lever - used to engage power- propelled forward motion of lawn mower.

Mulcher plug - mustbe removed to convert to bagging or discharging operation,

a cold engine,

Theoperationofanylawnmowercan resultin foreignobjectsthrownintothe

eyes,whichcanresultin severeeye damage°Alwayswearsafetyglassesor eyeshieldswhileoperatingyour lawn

mowerorperforminganyadjustmentsor

repairs.We recommendawidevision

safetymaskoverthe spectaclesor standardsafetyglasses.

HOW TO USE YOUR LAWN MOWER CAb'I'ION: Do not nJn your lawn mower

without mulcher plate in place and door closed or without an approved clipping

deflector or grasscatcher in place. Never attempt to operate the lawn mower w_

the rear door removed or propped open.

ENGINE SPEED

The engine speed was set at the factory

for optimum performance. Speed is not adjustable_

ENGINE ZONE CONTROL CAUTION: Federal regulations require

an engine control to be installed on this

lawn mower in order to minimize the risk of blade contact injury. Do not under any

circumstances attempt to defeat the

function of the operator control° The blade

turns when the engine is nJnningo = Your lawn mower is equipped with an

operator presence control bar which requires the operator to be positional

behind the lawn mower handle to start and operate the lawn mower_

TO ADJUST CUTTING HEIGHT

° Raisewheels for low cut and lower wheels

for high cut.

o Adjust cutting height to suit your require-

ments. Medium position is best for most lawns.

o To change cutting height, squeeze adjuster

lever toward wheel. Move wheel up or down to suit your requirements. Be sure all

wheels are in the same setting.

NOTE: Adjuster is properly positioned when plate tab inserts into hole in lever. Also, 9_position adjusters (if so equipped)

allow lever to be positioned between the

plate tabs.

Plate Tab

Lower Wheels for High Cut

Lever

Raise Wheels for Low Cut

TO ATTACH GRASS CATCHER

Close the flip IidoFliplid must be closed whileoperating lawn mower,

Liftthe rear door on the mower housing and place the grass catcher frame onto the formed tabs on the rear door hinge bracket. The grass catcher is secured to the lawn

mower housing when the reardoor is lowered onto the grass catcher frame.

CAUTION: Do not run your la:wnmower

without clipping deflector or approved

grass catcher in place. Never attempt to operate the lawn mower with the rear door

removed or propped open.

Hinge bracket Rear door

Formed

tabs

TO EMPTY GRASS CATCHER

° To remove grass catcher, release operator

presence control bar to stop engine°

° Lift up rear door and remove the grass

catcher by the handle.

o Do not drag the bag when emptying; itwitl

cause unnecessary wear°

DRIVE CONTROL

o Self-propelling is controlled by holding

the operator presence control bar down to the handle and pushing the drive

control [ever forward until it clicks; then release the lever.

• Forward motion will stop when the operator presence control bar is

released° To stop forward motion without stopping engine, release the operator presence control bar slightly

until the drive control disengages. Hold operator presence control bar down to

handle to continue mowing without self-

propelling.

o To keep drive control engaged when

turning comers, push down on handle

and lift front wheels off ground while

turning lawn mower.

Operator presence control bar

Drive

To engage drive Drive control control desengaged

:!'.}

BEFORE STARTING ENGINE OIL Your lawn mower is shipped without oil inthe

engine.

- Be sure mower is level and area around oil fill is clean.

o Remove engine bil cap w!dipstick and fill tO

the full line onthe dipstick.

o Use 20 ozs. of oil. For type and grade of oil

to use, see"ENGINE" inCustomer

Responsibilities section of this manual.

• Pour oil slowly. Do not over fill. o Check oi! level before each use, Add oil if

needed. Fill to ful! line on dipstick.

° To read proper level, tighten engine oil cap

each time.

o Reinstall engine oil cap and tighten. ° Change the oil after every 25 hours of

operation or each season. You may need to change the oil more often under dusty, dirty conditions.

ADD GASOLINE

• Fillfuel tank. Use fresh, clean, regular unleaded gasoline with a minimum of 87

octane. Do not mix oilwith gasoline. Purchase fuel in quantities that can be used within 30 days to assure fuel freshness.

IMPORTANT: When operating in temperatures below 32°F(0°C), use fresh,

clean winter grade gasoline to help insure good cold weather starting°

WARNING: Experience indicates that alcohol blended fuels (called gasohol or using ethanol or methanol) can attract moisture which leads

to separation and formation of acids during

storage. Acidic gas can damage the fuel system of an engine while in storage. To avoid

engine problems, the fuel system should be emptied before storage of 30 days or longer. Drain the gas tank, start the engine and let it

nJnuntil the fuel lines and carburetor are

empty. Usefresh fue! next season. See Storage Instructions for additional information.

Never use engine or carburetor cleaner products in the fuel tank or permanent damage_r_ayoccur. CAUTION: Fillto bottom of gas tank filler

neck. Do not overfill. Wipe off any spilled oil or fuel. Do not store, spill or use

gasoline near an open flame.

,=filler cap Entine oil cap w/

dipstick

TO START ENGINE ° To start a cold engine, push primer three

(3)times before trying to start. Use a firm push. This step isnot usually necessary

when starting an engine which has already

runfor_afew mim,_es.

o Hold operator presence control bar down to

the handle and pull starter handle quickly.

Do not allow starter rope to snap back.

o To stop engine, release operator presence

control bar°

NOTE: In cooler weather it may be necessary to repeat priming steps. In

warmer weather over priming may cause flooding and engine will not start, Ifyou

do flood engine, ,waita few minutes before attempting to start and do not repeat

priming steps.

lVlOWING TIPS o Under certain conditions, such as very tall

grass, it may be necessary to raise the height of cut to reduce pushing effo_ and to

keep from overloading the engine and

leaving clumps of grass clippings.

o For extremely heavy cutting, reduce the

width of cut and raise the rear of the lawn

mower housing one (t) wheel adjuster setting higher than the front for better

discharge of grass.

° For better grass bagging and most cutting

conditions, the engine speed should be set in the fast position.

° When using a rear discharge lawn mower in

moist, heavy grass, clumps of cut grass may not enter the grass catcher. Reduce

ground speed (pushing speed) and/or run the lawn mower over the area a second

time_

, Ifa trail of grass clippings is lefton the dght

side of a reardischarge lawn mower, mow in a clockwise direction with a small overlap

to collect the clippings on the nextpass.

o Keep top of engine around starter clear and

clean of grass clippings and chaff. This will help engine air flow and extend engine life.

- Pores in cloth grass catchers can become filled 'withdirt and dust with use and

catchers will collect less grass. To prevent this, regularly hose catchers off with water

and let dry before using.

Max 1/3

MULCHING MOWING TIPS IMPORTANT: For best performance, keep

mower housing free of built-up grass and trash. See "Cleaning" in CUSTOMER

RESPONSIBILITIES section of this manual. , The special mulching blade will recut the

grass clippings many times and reduce

them in size so that as they fall onto the

lawn they will disperse into the grass and not be noticed. Also, the mulched grass will

biodegrade quickly to provide nutrients for the lawn. Always mulch with your highest

engine (blade) speed as this will provide the

best recutting action of the blades.

o Avoid cutting your lawn when it isweL Wet

grass tends to form clumps and interferes

with the mulching action. "]'he best time to

mow your lawn isthe early aftemoon: At this time the grass has dried and the newly cut area will not be exposed to the direct

sun.

o For best results, adjust the lawn mower

cuttJng height so that the lawn mower cuts

offonly the top one-third of the grass blades. tfthe lawn is overgrown it will be necessary

to raise the height of cut to reduce pushing

effort and to keep from overloading the engine and leaving clumps of mulched

grass° For extremely heavy mulching,

reduce your width of cut by overlapping previously cut path and mow slowly.

• Certain types of grass and grass conditions may require that an area be mulched a

second time to completely hide the clippings. When doing a second cut, mow

across or perpendicular to the firstcut path.

° Change your cutting patternfrom week to

week. Mow north to south one week then change to east to west the next week. This

will help prevent matting and graining of the

lawn.

CleaPJlnspect Grass Catcher

(If Equipped) '

M Clean Lawn Mower

6/ 6/

....... 6/

6/ 6/

(Power-Propelled Mowers)

O Clean Under Drive Cover

Check drive belt/pulleys"

E (Power-Propelled Mowers)

a CheckJSharpeniRePlace Blade

Lubrication Chart

Clean Ba_erytRecharge

(Electric Start Mowers)

E Check Engine Ofi Level

N Change EngineOtl G clean Atr Filter

inspect Muffler

I 6/

Clean or Replace Spark Plug

E Replace Air Filter Paper Cartridge 6/2

!{ - Change more often when operating under a heavy load orin high ambient temperatures_

2 * Service more often when operating in dirtyor dusty conditions

3 _ Replace blades more oftsn when mewing tnsandy sell,

4 - Charge 48 hours at end of season_

,, , ,,,i ..... :_,

GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS The warranty on this !awn mower does not

cover items that have been subjected to

Wheel i

adjuster

operator abuse or negligence, To receive full value from the warranty, operator must

maintain mower as instructed in this

manual.

Some adjustments will need to be made

periodically to properly maintain your unit.

All adjustments in the Service and

Adjustments section of this manual should be checked at least once each season°

= Once a year, replace the spark plug,

Er oil

replace air filter element and check

blade for wear. A new spark plug and clean/new air filter element assures

proper air-fuel mixture and helps your

engine run better and last longer.

o Follow the maintenance schedule in this

manual.

BEFORE EACH USE

(_ Handle (_ Rear door

mounting pin hinge

O spra ,l.b, t

Refer to CUSTOMER RESPONSIBILITIES

"ENGINE" section.

- Check engine oil level. o Check for loose fasteners.

LUBRICATION

Keep unit welt lubricated (See "LUBRICA- TION CHART").

IMPORTANT: Do notoil or grease plastic wheel bearings. Viscous lubricants will attract

dust and dirt that will shorten the life of the self

lubricating bearings° Ifyou feel they must be lubricated, use only a dry, powdered graphite

type lubricant sparingly.

()

LUBRICATION CHART

PRODUCT SPECiFiCATiONS

MODEL NUMBER 917.377520 SERIAL NUMBER

DATE OF PURCHASE

HORSEPOWER: 5.0 DISPLACEMENT: 11.5 CU. IN. GASOLINE CAPACITY! TYPE: 1.6 QUARTS

UNLEADED REGULAR

OIL TYPE (API-SF/SG/SH): SAE 30 (ABOVE 32°F)

SAE 5W-30 (BELOW 32°F)

OIL CAPACITY: 20 OZSo

SPARK PLUG(GAP: .030") CHAMPION RJ19LM OR J19LM

VALVECLEARANCE: INTAKE: .005"

EXHAUST: .007"

SOLID STATE IGNITION AIR GAP: .010 IN.

BLADE BOLT TORQUE: 35-40 FT. LBS.

The model and serial numbers will be found on a decal attached to the rear of the

lawn mower housingoRecord both serial number and date of purchas e in space provided above.

LAWN MOWER Always observe safety rules when performing

any maintenance.

TIRES

• Keep tires free of gasoline, oil, or insect

control chemicals which can harm rubber.

o Avoid stumps, stones, deep ruts,sharp

objects and other hazards that may cause

tire damage.

BLADE CARE For best results, mower blade must be kept sharp. Replace bent or damaged blades.

TO REMOVE BLADE

° Disconnect spark plug wire from spark plug

and place wire where it cannot come in contact with spark plugo

o Turn lawn mower on itsside. Make sure air

filter and carburetor are up.

° Use a wood block between blade and

mower housing to prevent blade from

turning when removing blade boll

° Protect your hands,Mth gloves and/orwrap

blade with heavy cloth.

o Remove blade bolt by turning counter-

clockwise. Use a 9/16" box or open-end wrench.

o Remove blade and attaching hardware

(bolt,lock washer and hardened washer).

NOTE: Remove the blade adapter and check the key inside hub of blade adapter.

The key must be in good condition to work

properly. Replace adapter if damaged. TO REPLACE BLADE

o Positionthe blade adapter on the engine

crankshaft. Be sure key in adapter and crankshaft keyway are aligned°

° Positionblade on the blade adapter aligning

thetwo (2)holes inthe blade with the raised lugs on the adapter.

o Be sure the trailing edge of blade (opposite

sharp edge) is up toward the engine.

o Installthe blade bolt with the lock washer

and hardened washer into blade adapter and crankshaft.

° Use block of wood between blade and lawn

mower housing and tighten the blade bolt, turning clockwise.

° The recommended tightening torque is 35-

40 ft. lbs,

IMPORTANT: Blade bolt isgrade 8 heat treated.

NOTE: We do not recommend sharpen- ing blade - but if you do, be sure the blade is balanced.

TO SHARPEN BLADE Care should be taken to keep the blade

balanced° An unbalanced blade will cause eventual damage to lawn mower or engine.

• The blade can be sharpened with a fileor on a grinding wheel. Do not attempt to

sharpen while on the mower°

o To check blade balance, drive a nail intoa

beam or wail. Leave about one inch of the straight nail exposed. Place center hole of

blade over the head of the nail. if blade is balanced, itshould remain in a horizontal

position. Ifeither end of the blade moves downward, sharpen the heavy end untilthe

blade is balanced.

Blade Crank shaft

ada_ keyway

Blade

Crank

bolt shaft

Lock Blade

washer Hardened edge adapter

washer

GRASS CATCHER . The grass catcher may be hosed with

water, but must be dry when used°

o Check your grass catcher oftenfor damage

or deterioration. Through normal use itwill wear. if catcher needs replacing, replace

onlywith a manufacturer approved replacement catcher. Give the lawn mower model number when ordering.

DRIVE WHEELS Check front drive wheels each time before you mow to be sure they move freely.

The wheels not turning freely means trash, grass cuttings, etc, are in the drive wheel

area and must be cleaned to free drive

wheels.

if necessary to clean the drive wheels, check both front wheels.

° Remove hubcaps, hairpin cotters and

washers.

° Remove wheels from wheel adjusters.

o Remove any trash or grass cuttings from

inside the dust cover, pinion and/or drive wheel gear teeth.

° Put wheels back in place.

• if after cleaning, the drive wheels do not turn freely, contact your nearest

authorized service center.

GEAR CASE ° To keep your drive system working

properly, the gear case and area around the drive should be kept clean and free

of trash build-up. Clean under the drive cover twice a season.

- The gear case is filled with lubricant to the proper level at the factory. The only

time the lubricant needs attention is if

service has been performed on the gear

case.

. If lubricant is required, use only Texaco

Starplex Premium 1 Grease, Part No.

750355. De not substitute.

ENGINE LUBRICATION

Use only high quality detergent oil rated with

API service classification SF, SG, or SH.

Select the oil's SAE viscosity grade accord- ing to your expected operating temperature.

......... _""/'ii ii _J __

_'C ..,.'m- -_" _1o" o, !C=' :_o* _ 40"

TEM'PI_RATURE RANGE _T)C1PATEO BEFORE N_ OIL CHANGE

SAE VISCOSITY GRADES

NOTE: Although m:uifi-viscosity oils (5W30, 10W30 etc.) improve starting in

cold weather, these multi-viscosity oilswiU result in increased oil consumption When

used above 32°F. Check your engine oil level more frequently to avoid possible

engine damage from running low on oil. Change after the first 25 hoursof operation at

least once a year ifthe lawn mower is not used for 25 hours in one year.

Check the crankcase oil level before starting

the engine and after each five (5) hours of continuous use. Tighten oil plug securely each timeyoucheck the oillevel.

TO CHANGE ENGINE OIL

NOTE: Before tipping lawnmower to drain oil,drain fuel tank by running engine until fuel tank is empty.

o Disconnectsparkplugwirefromsparkplug

andplacewire whereitcannotcomein

contactwithsparkplug.

o Removeengineoilcap;layasideonaclean

surface.

• Tiplawnmoweronitssideasshownand drainoilintoasuitablecontainer.Rocklawn

mowerbackandforthtoremoveanyoil trappedinsideofengine.

o Wipeoffanyspilledoilonlawnmowerand

onsideofengine.

• Fill engine with oil. Fill only to the "FULL"

line on the dipstick. DO NOT overfi[l_

o Replace engine oil cap.

o Reconnect spark plugwire to spark plug.

Container

AIR FILTER

Your engine will not run properly and may be damaged by usinga dirty air filter,

Replace the airfilter every year, more often if

you mow in very dusty, dirty conditions. Do not wash airfilter.

TO CHANGE AIR FILTER

- Loosen screw and tilt cover to remove. ° Carefully remove cartridge,

° Clean by gently tapping on a flat

surface. If very dirty, replace cartridge°

CAUTION: Petroleum solvents, sT_chas kerosene, are not to be used to clean

cartridge. They may cause deterioration

ofthe cartridge. Do not oil cartridge. Do not use pressurized air to clean or dry

cartridge.

MUFFLER

inspect and replace corroded muffler as it

could create a fire hazard and/or damage. SPARK PLUG

Change your spark plug each year to make your engine start easier and run better. Set spark plug gap at .030 inch.

CLEANING IMPORTANT: Forbest performance, keep

mower housing free of built-up grass and

trash. Clean the underside of your mower after

each use° CAUTION: Disconnect spark plug wire

from spark plug and place wire where it cannot come in contact with the spark

plug. ° Turn lawn mower on its side. Make sure air

filterand carburetor are up. Clean the

underside of your lawn mower by scraping

to remove build-up of grass and trash.

° Clean engine often to keep trash from

accumulating. A clogged engine runs hotter and shortens engine life.

° Keep finished surfaces aqd wheels free of

allgasoline, oil,etc.

o We do not recommend using a garden

hose to clean lawn mower unless the electrical system, muffler, air filter and

carburetor are covered to keep water out. Water inengine can result in shortened engine life.

CLEAN UNDER DRIVE COVER Clean under drive cover at least twice a

season, Scrape underside of cover with putty knife or similar tool to remove any build-up of

trash or grass on underside of drive cover,

Cartridge

Back

Cover .._

tabs

Slots

Cover

CAUTION: BEFORE PERFORMING ANY SERVICE OR ADJUSTMENTS:

o Releasecontrolbar. o Makesurethe bladeandallmoving

partshavecompletelystopped°

o Disconnectsparkplugwirefromspark

plugandplacewhereit cannotcome in contactwith plug.

LAWN MOWER TO ADJUST CUTTING HEIGHT

See 'q'O ADJUST CUTTING HEIGHT" in the Operation section of this manual.

REAR DEFLECTOR The rear deflector, attached between the rear

wheels of your lawn mower, is provided to

minimize the possibility that objects will be

thrown out the rear of the lawn mower intothe

operator's mowing position. Ifthe rear deflector becomes damaged, itshould be

replaced.

TO REMOVF_JREPLACEDRIVE BELT

o Remove drive cover. Remove beltby

pushing down on gear case pulley and roll belt off.

o Turn lawn mower on its side with carburetor

and fuel cap up.

° Remove blade, o Remove debris shield.

o Remove belt from engine pulley on

crankshaft.

o install new belt by reversing above steps. o Always use factory approved belt to assure

fit and long life,

o Remove the starter rope guide from the

lower handle.

o Remove hairpin cotters. ° Disconnect the lower handle from the

handle brackets.

° Tum the handle over and reassemble the

hairpin cotters that have been removed, o Reassemble the starter rope guide_ ° Reassemble the controls and the operator

presence control bar to the upper handle. CAUTION: The operator presence

control bar must pivot freely to permit

blade brake engagement when control bar is released. Do not over tighten the

fasteners holding the controls to the upper

handle. o To change from medium low to high

position only the upper handle section wil! have to beturned over.

° To change from medium low to low position,

only the lower handle section 'wilthave to be turned over.

Shipping position

Medium low

high

Drive icover

Belt

Push

down

TO ADJUST HANDLE

Your lawn mower handle can be raised or

lowered for your mowing comfort. Four (4) positions are available: high, medium high,

medium low and low. Handles are shipped mounted in the medium low position.

° To change from medium low to medium

high position, the upper and lower handle sections will have to be tumed over.

° Remove cable clips. o Remove the controls and operator presence

control bar from the upper handle.

_- \ , Lowerhandle

Squeeze_"_'_to""-__

High

_3. L°W

bracket

Immediately prepare your lawn mower for storage atthe end of the season or if the unit will not be used for 30 days or more.

LAWN MOWER

When lawn mower is to be stored for a period of time, clean itthoroughly, remove alldirt,

grease, leaves, etc. Store in a dean, dry area.

- Clean entire lawn mower (See "CLEANING" in the Customer Responsibilities section of this manual).

o Lubricate as shown inthe Customer

Responsibilities section of this manual.

o Be sure that all nuts, bolts, screws, and pins

are securely fastened. Inspect moving parts for damage, breakage and wear.

Replace if necessary.

° Touch up all rusted or chipped paint

surfaces; sand lightly before painting.

HANDLE

"Youcan fold your lawn mower handlefor

storage.

° Squeeze the bottom ends of the lower

handle toward each other untilthe lower handle clears the handle bracket, then

move handle forward.

• Loosen upper handle mounting bolts enough to allow upper handle to be folded

back.

IMPORTANT: When folding the handle4or

storage or transportation, be sure to fold the

handle as shown or you amy damage the

control cables. o When setting up your handlefrom the

storage position, the lower handle will automatically lock into the mowing position.

Lower handle

Handle

Squeeze to fold

bracket

Operator presence control bar

Fold foward ,_//,_"_"_,)

for storage__ _';"Ji/_

. / handle

Upper

__v, iz/Fold

_" ! backward

Lower _ Mowing

handle position

ENGINE FUEL SYSTEM

IMPORTANT: itis importantto prevent gum depositsfrom forming in essentialfuelsystem

partssuch ascarburetor, fuel system parts such as carburetor, fuel filter, fuel hose ortank

during storage.,_Jso,experienceindicatesthat

alcoholblended fuels ( calledgasoholorusing ethanolor methanol) can att_ct moisture whichleads to separation add formation of

acids duringstorage_Acidic gas can damage the fuel systemofan enginewhile instorage.

° Drainthe fuel tank° o Startthe engineand letit run untilthefuel

linesand carburetor are empty.

= Never use engine orcarburetor cleaner

productsin the fuel tank or permanent

damage may occur.

. Use fresh fuel next season.

NOTE: Fuel stabilizer is an acceptable alternative in minimizing the formation of fuel gum deposits during storage, Add

stabilizer to gasoline infuel tank or

storage container. Always follow the mix ratio found on stabilizer container. Run

engine at least 10 minutes after adding stabilizer to allow the stabilizer to reach

the carburetor. Do not drain the gas tank and carburetor if using fuel stabilizer.

Hairpin cotter

+ 33 hidden pages

Craftsman 917377520 Owner’s Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual